The Kilusang Mayo Uno at 25:
a Continuing legacy of Genuine Trade Unionism in the Cordillera Mines

This year’s Labor Day commemoration coincides with the 25th year of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) in the Cordillera region, where May 1 has become a living tradition of solidarity among the Igorot workers. Majority of the workers in the mining sector are indigenous peoples from the Cordillera.

The growth of the genuine, militant and nationalist workers’ movement worldwide has driven the establishment of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (MAY 1st movement) in 1980 among the mineworkers in the region.

The Baro a Timpuyog dagiti Mangmangged ti Benguet (BTMB), an affiliate of the National Federation of Labor Unions-Kilusang Mayo Uno (NAFLU-KMU) won in a Certification Election (CE) in November 29, 1979. This was a triumphant breakthrough over the long overdue dominance of yellow unionism that preyed at the workers of Benguet Consolidated Inc. (BCI) for quite a time. The BTMB consolidated its members for the campaign of just wages, enough benefits and political as well as social rights.

On January 3, 1981, the first strike in the country and the first ever in the region under Martial Law conditions was staged by the officers and members of 6,000-strong BTMB. It was a courageous action in defiance to the facades of normalization.

The said strike broke the so-called “industrial peace” in the region. It knocked-off the corporate image the Benguet Corporation. The strike gained status in the Cordillera, and inspired the rest of the workers in the region. The collective will and force of united workers was realized throughout the region and the country. It impressed the region’s workers to adhere to genuine unionism.

Meanwhile, signature campaigns were held in the mines of Lepanto and Philex to organize new unions. As expected, the management of both companies retorted fiercely to restrain the workers’ right to organize. Pro-company unions of both mine sites conspired with management to discourage the workers’ organizing efforts.

In Philex, NAFLU organizers were harassed and arrested. Organizing efforts in Lepanto on the other hand were pursued leading to the submission for a petition for CE. The election proceeded after a year where the NAFLU was defeated by the company-backed union.

In 1982, Sangilo mineworkers in Itogon, Benguet held a strike to protest the non-implementation of their CBA.

The following year, the Lepanto Employees Union (LEU) held its local elections which paved the way for genuine and militant labor leaders to join. But their votes were not counted as the management branded them as oppositionists. The militant workers in Lepanto were booted out when mining operations were shutdown in 1984, displacing thousands of workers. It was also part of management’s tactics to escape its obligations in compensating the workers.

Workers of the Baco Kelly and Sierra Oro also in Itogon, Benguet, held sit-down strikes to protest violations to their CBA. The union held local elections to rid out the bogus leaders who corrupted the membership for years. Months later, the union won in a CE over the yellow union National Mines and Allied Workers’ Union (NAMAWU). These were followed by simultaneous protest actions in other mine sites to push their managements to comply with their CBAs.

Later in that year, there was a split in the leadership of NAMAWU in Philex, providing opportunities for KMU to groundwork within the union. Genuine union organizing progressed. However, the NAMAWU held a make-believe strike against alleged “violations” of the CBA to forestall attempts in organizing another union.

Organizing in Benguet Exploration (B-Ex) began by working within the leadership of NAMAWU. Shortly after that, B-Ex workers went on strike.

In the same year, NAFLU challenged the NAMAWU in Philex in a CE that nearly led to a shoot-out. NAMAWU won by a small margin. In 1987, Philex supervisors organized Monthlies and Staff/Supervisors Union of Philex (MASS-UP-NAFLU) and submitted a petition for CE which was heaved on for several years until the effort lost ground. However, the staff and monthlies nevertheless pursued their struggles. Sadly, they were forced to decide on affiliating the union with the government-established Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) which is pro-capitalists.

In 1988, the Baro nga Unyon dagiti Mangmangged iti Benguet Exploration (BUMBEX-NAFLU-KMU) won over NAMAWU in a heated CE. Local leaders of NAFLU expanded organizing works in Acoje mines, Radio Veritas and Dizon mines in Zambales. Workers in Bobok Heald Lumber stood up.

A much contested CE was held at Lepanto the following year. The Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor organization (ANGELO-NAFLU-KMU) engaged LEU a hard fight. The LEU was closely supported by the management, company counsel Atty.Mauricio Domogan and pro-company and bogus leaders and government officials. LEU won the elections.

Job displacements
Meanwhile, BC shifted to bulk and open pit mining operations. Mass retrenchment followed after its mechanization operations. The company tried to separate its Antamok mine site from its mother operation, and as a result, the union membership was reduced. This prompted an spontaneous strike that lasted for 11 days.

In 1990, B-Ex shut down its operations. Workers demanded the company to grant their separation pays. The following year, a union at BC subsidiary Benguet Antamok Gold Operations was organized. A series of massive retrenchment took place, and the oldest company which was the BC’s Benguet Gold, operation closed down. In 1996, the Itogon-Suyoc mines in Sangilo shut down its operations leaving the workers behind.

Continuing struggles
Through the years, the struggle between the worker and the capitalist never prospered, as one’s interest eternally conflicts the other. What is striking though, is the workers’ determination and will to struggle for what is theirs, for what is right and legitimate.

From year 2001 to present, the trend for labor issues is to make a comeback.

On February 2003, LEU members staged a month-long strike against unfair labor practices and for democratic rights. Retrenched Philex workers are still pursuing compensation from the Philex Mining Corporation. At present, LEU is in its second wave of strike after CBA negotiations failed and the LCMCo’s arrogant denial of their just demands.

In the other workplaces too, union organizing gained its crests and troughs. But remarkably, the movement for genuine and militant trade unionism survived the years. Weaknesses were noted in major struggles, but stood to continue painstaking organizing work among the ranks of the workers. This movement will continue to gain a stronghold in society as it advances the people’s struggle for justice.#